England's Primary Batters Sit Out Day-Night Practice Game

England's key batsmen chose to avoid a day-night practice game in Canberra, even after a devastating defeat in the opening Ashes Test in Western Australia.

The tourists were beaten within two days in Perth, creating an extended break before the second day-night Test in Brisbane.

The break opened up the possibility for players to join the England Lions 48-hour day-night fixture against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra this weekend.

However, just pace bowlers one bowler and another bowler, plus batter a young player – none of whom played in the Perth match – will travel and link up with the Lions.

Sources suggest that not one of the Perth players requested to participate in the Canberra match.

Ex- England Star Calls Move "Bizarre"

Upon learning the team were considering sending squad members to Canberra for the England Lions game, it was expected it would be players requiring practice.

The former English paceman and chief cricket commentator continued:

The team must take charge of how they prepare and their performances during matches. It's their job to giving it their best shot to win the Ashes. The proof of the pudding will be with the results.

Missed Chance for Pink-Ball Experience

This match against the Prime Minister's XI is a tradition for visiting teams to Australia.

England participated in the fixture in previous series in Australia, but was left out from their plans on this occasion because of a potential tight turnaround to Brisbane had the first match had lasted the full duration.

Travel from Western Australia to Canberra requires just under four hours, and a additional 120-minute flight from the capital and Queensland.

However, given the first Test was completed in just two days – marking the first 48-hour Ashes Test since 1921 – the thought of dispatching at least the batsmen to Canberra seemed to make sense.

Performance Issues in Perth

• England dismissed twice in the first Test in under 68 overs.
• Not since the early 1900s have England faced such a low number of deliveries in a defeat in a Test.
• Each of the skipper and ex-skipper failed to reach double figures in either innings.
• Zak Crawley became only the fourth English opener to record a duck in both innings in an Ashes match.

The side played only one practice game prior to the Perth match, meaning the game in Canberra would have provided much-needed time in the middle.

Rare Day-Night Challenge Coming Up

Furthermore, the development game would have offered experience using the day-night ball, as the team set to face a unusual pink-ball Test.

The tourists been defeated in five of their seven prior day-nighters, while the hosts triumphed in 13 from 14.

In pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, the home side boast the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

Of England's likely XI in the next Test, gloveman Jamie Smith and pace bowler another are yet to experience a red-ball game with a day-night ball, while Brydon Carse has played only one.

Team Management Stance

Asked following the Perth match whether the team would change preparations and dispatch players to the capital, captain Ben Stokes was adamant in refusing.

I've been asked a lot, that's how it was done in the past. We prepare thoroughly and work incredibly hard whenever possible to improve our game.

Coach Brendon McCullum seemed to leave the door open when he said:

We've just got to work out the advantages and disadvantages. We're not married to a fixed plan currently, but we'll decide in a couple of days.

The coach added that he was "sure" a batsman could play in the capital if he wanted to.

Criticism from Former Captain

Commenting recently, ex-skipper a well-known figure stated it would be "unprofessional" to pass up the opportunity to participate in the capital.

What harm is it taking part in 48 hours of the game using the day-night ball in evening conditions?

He continued:

I can't be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket they could become a little bit better?

My method would be, there's a pink-ball two-day game, you go and grab it, go and take it, play those two days and give yourself the best chance.

England will travel to Queensland on Wednesday and do not plan to practice until Monday. There is the possibility of an additional training session at the weekend.